Have you ever made one tiny shift, and suddenly, everything else started falling into place? Last April, I reached a turning point. To put it bluntly, I felt disconnected from myself and detached from any semblance of a healthy lifestyle. When I look back on pictures, I can see it so clearly in my face: Rosacea was at an all-time high. I looked inflamed, and my smiles were different—I was unhappy.
There were changes in my routine too. I was uncomfortable in my body. I wasn’t sleeping well. I was drinking more. Most of my meals lacked any nutritional value, and I didn’t want to be around a lot of people—something I typically love and am fueled by. All signs pointed to the need to make some big life changes. Months later, after a call with my therapist, I learned I had low-grade depression.
I used to think change had to be all or nothing. If I wasn’t waking up at 5 a.m., drinking a green juice, and journaling my life’s purpose while detailing the three things I’m grateful for, was I even trying? (Spoiler: That all-or-nothing mindset kept me stuck for months.)
So, I did something different. I started small—almost laughably small, which is a completely foreign concept for me. One morning, I laced up my HOKAs and went for a 20-minute walk. That was it. No fancy workout plan, no pressure to hit a step goal. Just a walk. It was more than what I was doing, which was absolutely nothing. I desperately wanted to feel comfortable in my body again and needed to lose weight. I figured a walk was the simplest way to start.
Then, something unexpected happened.
One Small Shift, One Big Life Change
At first, walking felt like a checkbox on my to-do list. But then, I started noticing how good it felt to move. How the fresh air cleared my mind. How my energy didn’t crash by 3PM. Suddenly, my walks weren’t just a habit—they were something I wanted to do. They became my morning non-negotiable.
Here’s the wild part: That tiny shift made other things feel easier. I naturally started choosing foods that fueled me. I slept better. My stress levels noticeably declined. One small change turned into another, then another… and before I knew it, I felt like me again.
When Healthy Habits Click
We’re taught to believe that wellness is all about discipline. And sure, some structure helps, but I’ve learned something even better: When a habit genuinely feels good, you don’t have to force it.
I wasn’t dragging myself to the gym out of guilt anymore—I was moving in ways I actually enjoyed. I wasn’t punishing myself with strict routines—I was building a life that felt energizing. Most of all, I was making it easy on myself. Those morning walks led me to find a strength training program that also felt simple and easy to add to my routine. (Big Evlo Fitness fan, for inquiring minds.)
Redefined Health on My Own Terms
Here’s what no one tells you: When you start making choices that align with your version of health, everything else falls into place. You feel lighter not just physically, but mentally. You make decisions from a place of clarity instead of exhaustion.
And the best part? You don’t have to wait for some magical “perfect time” to start. Just pick one thing—one tiny shift—and see what happens. You might be surprised by where it leads.
I moved beyond rigid wellness trends and embraced what felt good for me. I focused on a daily walk at first. I needed easy and sustainable habits rather than extremes. I’ve been on that path before and I know how the story goes: I have an incredible amount of willpower in the beginning—I lose weight, look great—but the habits aren’t sustainable. I lose momentum and ultimately abandon every healthy habit I implemented. As my therapist always says, “we can’t let the pendulum swing too far in either direction.” It’s a visual I think about a lot.
When you start making choices that align with your version of health, everything else falls into place. You feel lighter not just physically, but mentally. You make decisions from a place of clarity instead of exhaustion.
The Ripple Effect
Once I started to implement my daily walk and focus on joy and balance, the ripple effect started to happen naturally. I began to let go of what no longer served me: draining habits, overcommitting, mindless scrolling, more sleep, feeling less rushed. I started to crave nourishing things across the board, from sunlight and good conversation to balanced meals and more rest. My life started to feel more aligned—I was more in control of my decisions and thoughts, as well as feeling more reconnected to myself.
Here’s what else I noticed:
1. Daily Movement > Improved Mood > Stronger Relationships
- My morning walk left me feeling more grounded and happier (and craving even MORE movement)
- This allowed me to show up better for my loved ones and at work, which led to more meaningful connection
- Creative ideas started to flow easier and I felt more connected to work
2. Prioritizing Sleep > More Energy > Better Food Choices
- Deciding to get 7–8 hours of sleep led to waking up feeling refreshed
- More energy meant fewer afternoon crashes, and I noticed craving less caffeine and sugar
- Feeling well-rested made it easier to make mindful food choices instead of reaching for quick fixes
3. Drinking More Water > Better Digestion > Clearer Skin
- The moment I upped my water intake, I noticed an immediate shift in digestion, reduced bloating, and less sluggishness
- My rosacea started to clear up and I was glowing
- I could physically feel a difference in my energy levels from being hydrated alone
4. Setting Boundaries > Less Stress > More Time for What You Love
- Establishing a daily routine made it easier to say “no” to things that weren’t aligned with me living my healthiest life
- Better boundaries created more space for activities and people that energized me (Bonus: Lower cortisol levels contribute to a calmer mind)
- Having more time to do the things I love allowed me to focus on new hobbies (reading), taking time for self-care (rest), and investing deeper into my friendships—many joined me on walks as a way to catch up vs. going to happy hours or dinners out
5. Setting Intentions > Positive Mindset > More Opportunities
- I started to write down my goals and intentions for this phase of life, which allowed me to be very clear on where I was headed
- This shifted my focus into a positive mindset, opening me up to new possibilities
- The confidence of knowing I am capable and ready for new life opportunities led to so much: a new job, a creative project, investing and building my savings—all things that continue to inspire me to keep going and never stop
6. Shedding Pounds > Reduced Inflammation > More Energy
- After a few weeks of walking, I started to feel less pain in my joints and less inflammation
- Less inflammation meant that I could move my body more easily and I started to build strength and endurance
- The amount of energy I slowly gained as I shed pounds, water weight, and inflammation was absolutely incredible—it continued to fuel me and my body craved it
- I now feel more connected to my body and I know what I need to feel better
Readers, I had no idea that when I went for my first 20-minute walk 11 months ago that my life would change in the most unexpected ways. All I wanted was to shed the pounds I had gained and find some happiness again. I so badly wanted to feel reconnected to myself. That one small change, while trusting the process and embracing my own version of wellness, led to a version of myself I could have never imagined.
Sometimes, the healthiest decision we can make is to simply choose ourselves.
